Automatic suture or tourniquet



Patented Aug. 15, 1950 'J5'. --S- UNITED OFFICE i AUTOMATIC s'U'rURE 0R 'ioUnNIQUImfu K' Reginald A. Midaaugh, rooktonaale, N. Y. Application June 3, 1947, Serial No. 752,122

This invention relates to a novel and-improved tourniquet which lends itself suitably adaptable to many and varied uses in miscellaneous lines of endeavor, but Which is particularly and aptly usable by physicians, veterinarians, undertakers, and the like.

Briey, the preferred embodiment ofthe invention comprises a flat faced rubber or equivalent elastic band, which is adapted to yieldably embrace a part or object surrounded thereby in conjunction with a novel coupling-link for separably andY adjustably clasping the ends Aof said band together.

One object of the invention is to provide a pointed elastic band, one end thereof, being adapted to be securely and detachably anchored on the link and the pointed end being such that it may be threaded and roven through coacting portions of the link for quickconnections, adjustment and disconnection, whereby to .provide a device which may be satisfactorilyl employed, as a general rule, for suturing work.

More specifically, an object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved coupling-link which is simple and practicable and which is such that the multiple limb portions thereof adequately perform in separably and adjustably interconnecting the ends of the elastic band. The invention, made up of the elastic embracing band and link, is possessed of many features and advantages and is'. not necessarily restricted to any stated field 'of usage. It is therefore a further object of the inventionl to lprovide a simple and economical tourniquet which' is adapted to be made in different sizes and from appropriate material, whereby to provide expedient means which is practical for use in the lines of endeavor above stated and is equally well adaptable and useful in industrial trades' and elsewhere, wherever parts and obj ects are to be held together to assist in performing Work.

Other objects and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure l is a perspective view of the elastic embracing band showing one end buckled for attachment to and anchorage on the couplinglink;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the link by itself;

Figure 3 is a view showing the device partly applied;

Figure 4 is a view based on Figure 3 and show- 1 claim.- (c1. 12s- 327) 2 .1 ing a succeeding and intermediatestep illustrative of the application principles; and l Figure 5 is a view based on Figure 4 and showing the final step lwith-the device completely applied.

Referring now to the drawings by distinguishing reference numeralatheelastic band is denoted by the numeral 1, the same being of rubber or equivalent material possessing the strength and inherent properties desired. The left-hand end portion of the band is denoted by the numeral 8, the intermediate portion by the numeral 9 and the tapered tip or leading end is denoted at y I'I). In this figure, the band, inwardly of the end '8 is buckled or bent upon itself into a ypermanent loop, as at II, 'for anchorage, against slippage, 'on the novel coupling-link I2. The link is better shown in Figure 2, the same being 'constructed from metal or appropriate material, the metal being preferably cylindrical in cross sectional form and of suitable gauge. A single'lengtli of metal is employed and this .is bent intermediate its ends into a U-shaped portion I3 embodying spaced'parallel limbs I4 and' I5 and afconnect'- ing or bight portion" I6. The free ends are fashioned into rectilinearly straight limbsA I1 and I8 andthese are connected by return bends I9 and 20 to the limbs I4 and I5. The free terminals of the limbs I'I and I8, as denoted-at 2|"and 22, terminate opposite one another and on ra plane approximately even with the bight porltion I6. The-spacing ofthe limbs is such as to provide appropriate passages and retention elements for the band. i Y

In practice, thefiexible encirclingv band lis fashioned for use as shown in Figure 1 and the loop II is squeezed into place in the anchoring seat or crotch provided therefor between the limbs I4 and I'I. By stretching the rubber in an obvious fashion, the insertion step is simple and easy and when the stress is released, the inherent properties of the rubber cause the portions thereof to return to normal thickness, thus binding and anchoring the loop in place and leaving the end 8 free for both adjustment, application, and removal purposes. With the loop thus anchored, the intermediate portion of the band is looped or drawn around the object 23 (which may be a human limb or other part) and the band is partly in place. In accomplishing this the free end portion of the band is drawn down between the two limbs I4 and I5 by bending the rubber as at 24 in Figure 3. Next, the tapered tip is threaded up through the same space, that is, the space between the limbs I4 and I5 and the coacting portions of the rubber band. Ordinarily, the retention action is then sufllcient to retain the band in place. In other instances, it is desired to bend the free end portion not only at the point 25, as shown in Figure 4, but also to thread the tip through the space provided between the limbs l5 and I8. Thus attached to the link, the latter is maintained free of contact with the part surrounded by the band. Also, the rubber may be slid with relation to the link for adjustment purposes in order to obtain the desired tension of that part which surrounds the object 23.

Used as a suture, the band affords a broad even grip and draws firmly and uniformly over more surface than a narrow string, and automatically seals up an artery or vein, completely eliminating all chances of a stretching force and a consequent leak for, obviously, a flat band doesnot cut into side walls of an artery or vein as a string would'. Constructed as' disclosed, the device is quick to opera-te, tighten or loosen'. It is ay time saver inasmuch as it:y can be put on and taken di Withf appreciable. rapidity, there being'no knots to tie. It is durable and light in weight, andk will nietv4 break', can be satisfactorily usedtime and time again. An arterial. or vein-tube may be withdrawn' from. an: artery orveinV by pulling' on mdwithdrawing the tube during which. time the suture closes upf back of tube without skillful manipulation. Its'use assures just the. right grip cninstruments such as needsY beinserted in an artery' o1'. vein and avoidsV accidental slipping and pnl-ling out..

I have used this device while: embalming bodies md. have given it thorough tests.. Then, too, I have docked lambs" tailsE by putting the suture varound'. the tail closeto the body, have cut the tail olf. and' have found that;l lambs seem not to hind. the operation, doinot lose blood, and retain full strength.. I leave the suture orA tourniquet cmfor about 10v orY 15 minutes; sufficient time to stop blood, then take it off. Also,l the d'evice may be used for dehorningL cattle by placing itatthe base of they horn` and cutting the horn off above the suture. Further, the device may be used successfully in castration by placing the band. close Io the body, as is done byveterinarians.

The device may be used', where anyv creative work requires parts to bey held firmly in. place. Undertakers, for instance, will find the device useful' as ay holder' for' flowers ony caskets, racks, and the like;

What is more, the device may he used' assist in gluing pieces of woodtogether or: for clamping purposes while drilling, etc. Flower shops would nd it useful as a substitute for wire and cord Wrappings. In hospitals, it can be used to advantage in innumerable ways. As a matter of fact, the device is of such nature and simple style that it will serve, elliciently and economically, in Ways too numerous to specify herein.

A careful consideration of the foregoing description dn conjunction with the invention as illustrated; in; the drawlrgs will enable the reader to obtain a clear understanding and impression of the alleged features of merit and novelty sumcient to clarify the construction of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Minor changes in shape, size, materials and rearrangement of parts may be resorted to in actual practice so long as no departure is made from the invention as claimed.

What I claim is:

A multipurpose tourniquet comprising a rigid band' buckling and coupling link formed from a single: rigid. pieceof material and' embodying e main central U'shaped portion open at one end an'dia pair of. duplicated auxiliary U-shapedv portions lying in. parallelism alongside of the main U-shaped portion and in the same plane with the latter, said', auxiliary U-shaped portions being both open at ends opposite tothe openv end of the main U-shaped portion, and an. elastic band, said band' being rectangular in cross section, one end portion of thev band inwardly ofthe adjacentvfree endkbeing bent upon itself into a permanent loop, the latter being removably wedged and anchored in. place in. one of said auxiliary U-shaped portions, the intermediate and free end' portions of said band' being: brought intol direct contact with one another and threaded through and' held in place by coacting limbs ot said main U-shaped portion. and' remaining auxiliary U-shaped portion.

REGINALDI A. MIDDAUGH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references' are of record in the le of' this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,'Z'lI2g581#A Robinson May 14, 1929 1134334521 Hatch Jan. 14, 1930 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 384,005 Great Britain' Dec. 1, 1932 

